Investigations of Flare Gas Emissions in Alberta

The research program in the characterization of emissions from flaring in Alberta was designed in conjunction with Government and Industry representatives. It was developed as a scientific undertaking to address issues that have been identified around flaring in Alberta for a number of years. The overall terms of reference for the study was to determine experimentally the degree to which flared gases are unburned, and to characterize the products of combustion in the emissions.

The project design developed to meet these objectives consisted of laboratory, pilot scale, and field scale studies. Laboratory studies conducted primarily on pure fuels, were instrumental in the development and testing of equipment required for this program, and for the identification of hydrocarbons that are produced by these flames. Pilot scale studies were used to examine more complex fuel mixtures and under cross winds, make modifications where necessary, and substantiate the findings of the laboratory scale studies. The final field phase consisted of flare emissions characterization for both hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds as produced from two oilfield battery flare systems. The majority of solution gas flaring occurs at oilfield battery sites in Alberta.